Philanthropist humbled by GCU honour

Professor Eric Peacock with Erika Alvares, GCU London Alumna of the Year.

“Love what you do – the ‘I can’ is more important than the IQ.”

Those were the inspiring words Professor Eric Peacock delivered to GCU London graduates at today’s winter ceremony in Christ Church, Spitalfields.

The University presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Peacock, a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to luxury and international trade. In addition, he was appointed a GCU Honorary Professor.

“Little did I think when I graduated so many years ago that I would be recognised by a university from my home city. Caledonian University has a very proud legacy and a great commitment to the social good and I think it’s always great when your home city recognise what you’ve achieved on an international stage. I’m deeply humbled.”

Professor Peacock is Chairman of Just Loans PLC, Buckley Jewellery, Hawkins and Brimble Ltd (male cosmetics), Stevenage Packaging Ltd, Whizz Education Ltd (E-Learning) and e careers (E-Learning).

He was appointed a "Global Scot" by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, in 2017.

He is Chairman of the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire, The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, The AB Trust (orphanage and schools in Uganda), The Peacock Foundation, and Uniqueness, a Stevenage based charity. The latter two charities focus on disadvantaged children.

He is passionate about lifelong learning and employee engagement together with the growth of leadership and the optimisation of businesses on an international scale.

The University also honoured Erika Alvares as GCU London Alumna of the Year. Erika has built two successful brands – Koua, which focuses on fashion, and Mexzik, a home décor label.

The graduation ceremony celebrated academic awards across the disciplines of banking, finance and risk; construction and project management. It also included a number of students graduating from the British School of Fashion, the innovative academic hub developed by GCU to create and disseminate strategic fashion business insight through leading-edge education, research and consultancy.

GCU London delivers MBA and Masters programmes that support students to succeed in the global labour market. Additional strengths in finance, risk and public health contribute to engagement with key sectors in London and across the world.